Alright Rally fans, Rally Trinidad 2012 is almost here and so far this is the scoop.
Check out all updates on
http://www.rallytrinidad.com (stage directory, maps, news items, etc.)
Check out the hype on the official facebook fan page (search Rally Trinidad)
In short:
- 162 stage km
- Approx. 35 competitors
- Stages are Hasely Crawford Stadium, Cedar Hill, Bronte, Reform, Saith Park
- Barbados, Jamaica, UK, Trinidad and Tobago
WRC Lineup (IN NO SPECIFIC ORDER): - John Powell / Nick Telfer - 2008 Subaru S14 WRC - TRI
- Jeffrey Panton / Mike Fennell - 2006 Ford Focus WRC - JAM
- Gary Gregg / Hugh Hutchinson - 2005 Ford Focus WRC - JAM
- Sean Gill / Michael Cummings - 2006 Suzuki SX4 WRC - BAR
With this lineup who can really predict the winner. Penti is fresh off a huge win at Rally Jamaica in 2011, and seems very comfortable in his new ride. This will be the first time this machine touches down in Trinidad so the local crowd surely has something to look forward to. Panton is the defending champion and is in a new ride. That with his experience on the tricky South stages could mean stiff competition for Powell. Sean Gill may be the biggest threat yet after coming second to Powell in Jamaica by the finest of margins, and with Gregg having won both Rally Jamaica and Rally Barbados in the Focus, it rounds out of the most competitive fields ever on gravel seen in Trinidad. Rally fans are going to have a very tough time picking the top 3 out of this field.
The other hot picks - James Betts - Group A Mitsubishi Evo V - Betts will be back after a 4 year break from Rally Trinidad. He is an extremely talented driver and he is coming in a quick machine so he could very well be knocking on the leader's doors
- Stuart Johnson - Group N Subaru N12 - Sobby started off the season with a well earned 2nd place to Powell and has come a long way in his relatively short 2year stint in local rallying. Watch out for this blue machine.
- David Coelho - Group A Mitsubishi Evo IX - David is well known for his fastest stage times surprising the leaderboard so it will be up to whether he can keep these 'surprise stage wins' consistent. He has a fast car and a very good team behind him.
- Cristian Bourne - Group A Mitsubishi ? - Many rumours have started with this team and you may see Cris in something new for Rally Trinidad. If this plan does come to pass he could be a big threat for Rally Trinidad. The other good question is if Bourne is in a new car who is driving the 7? hmmmm stay tuned
- Mark Williams - Group A Mitsubishi Evo V - After a very solid year in Group N Williams stepped up to Group A with a little boring out of the restrictor. But an engine failure on the first stages event for 2012 set him back some seat time for Rally Trinidad. If he can repeat last year's consistency watch out for this very talented driver.
- Doc Morley - Yes folks Harold will be back in his Subaru N14. Forget trying to guess how old he is, rather worry about the fact that he is beating guys half his age and smiling about it.
2WD is a big toss up, with Ryan Peyrau, Devi Nath, and Ricky Bobby set to toss it up with Bajan Jamal Brathwaite, it could be anybody's guess for the top spot here. A couple other names to look for are Reyaz Mohammed (taken over the title of Mr. Consistent it seems - maybe its the car?) Shelford Robinson and Ansel Ali.
The full entry list and more to come soon. Stay tuned Rally Fans - the ultimate Rally in TnT is here!
Stages ItinerarySaturday Stages - Cedar Hill and BronteSunday Stages - Cedar Hill and Bronte SprintSunday Stages - Reform